Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
STATION INSPECTION
The station appeared to be in a reasonable condition with regard to environmental impact. A minor diesel fuel spill had taken place over the 1995/1996 season due to a leak in the fuel tanks at the main generator shed. The spill was small and visible contamination was restricted to the area immediately below the tanks. According to the Team Leader no other spills took place over the year, but there were signs of spillage at the diesel tank supplying the hot water cylinder between the shower and new accommodation blocks.
On arrival, it was found that the packaging of the aluminium chips and KOH for use with the standby hydrogen generator had deteriorated considerably. This problem was rectified by Mr.
King and his personnel, but packaging in plastic in steel containers remains a less than ideal solution. This problem is discussed below. In addition, considerable waste from the old standby hydrogen generators remains in the vicinity of the Upper Air building and this should be removed.
Waste disposal over the 1995/6 season took place according to the specifications of the Management Plan with the following exceptions: poultry waste was incinerated rather than packaged for return to South Africa; sewage was not macerated (no macerator installed as yet).
Over the relief period, all pouhry waste was frozen and returned to the ship for disposal in South Africa. It is recommended that in future only chicken fillets (and eggs) be sent to the island.
Although the fillets are more costly, they do reduce the problems of waste in the form of chicken bones.
All buildings still appear structurally sound, although the level of routine maintenance could be increased. No buildings appear to be a threat to the environment in Zone 1 due to collapse etc.
AGROSTIS GIGANTEA - STATUS AND ACTIONS
According to Dr. N.J.M. Gremmen, the patch size of Agrostis gigantea has increased considerably since its discovery by him in April 1993. However, this exotic grass has not spread to other areas and remains restricted to small patches in a larger area of about 20 X 100 min the immediate vicinity of the old fuel tanks above Gentoo Lake, and the slope down to Gentoo Lake below the tanks. The report that the grass had spread, made by Mr. J. Cooper, based on information provided by Mr. D. Keith, was not accurate due to misidentification of other introduced Agrostis species which have been established at the station for some time.
The Agrostis gigantea patches were inspected by Prof V.R Smith, Dr. Gremmen and myself and a decision was taken to attempt eradication of this species. Dr. Gremmen is of the opinion that the plant is a vigorous competitor, could spread reasonably quickly and could disrupt natural plant communities on the island. Therefore, Dr. Gremmen, myself and the environmental officer for 1996/7 Mr. D. Nel, sprayed the A. giganteapatches with a 3% solution of Sting® (Glyphosphate) donated by Monsanto for this purpose. According to Mr. H. Venter of Monsanto Johannesburg, Sting has no residual action and breaks down within 4-5 days of application. It also has little lateral movement in the soil A total of30 litres of mixed solution (900 ml of Sting, the remainder
DRAFT POLICY DOCUMENT FOR Tiffi CONSERVATION MA.~AC.E.M.ENT OF CULTURAL SITES AND ARTffACTlS (HERITAGE RESOURCES), ON PRNCE EDWARD AND MARION ISLANDS
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT IT llAS 08f!N ASSUMED THAT PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND WILL REMAIN lSOl.ATtm ANO WILL THEREFORE NOT BE UNDER THREAT IN TERMS OF LOSS OF CULTURAL MATERIAL. THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE 'fHEREFORE SPECIFICALLY APPLICABLE FOR MARlON ISLAND. SUCH RECOMMENDATIONS MAY, OF COURSE BE RELEVANT TO WORK DONE ON PRINCE F.DWAlU> ISLAND IN THc J:iUTURE -THE BASIC CONSERV t\ TION PRINCIPLES REMAIN TH.I:: SAME.
The National Monument1; Council is the statutory body charged with the protection (lf the country's culturnl nnd hi~torical heritage. This heritage consists of those building~. places and (.1bjcc1s which have panicular connections with persons or events in our history and prc- h istory which were of particular siiiniticance. In the case of the Prince Edward !~lands these heritage resources comprise places and ~ites of si£nificance, buildings or structures,
;irchneological deposit~ and the shipwrecks surrounding the coastlines ot' the Islands.
This documt:nl ha.-; been compiled with the aim of establishing a policy to protect the h<!ritage rernun::cs cx;sting on and around the Prince Edward Islands.
The National Monuments Council's Polle;- Document for Cultural Conservation defines the
funtlamen1~1l principles for heritage conservation in South Africa. It is these principles that have informed this document setting out a policy for lhc cultural conservation and management of heritage resources on the Prince Edward l!iland?>.
These principles are set out below:
t. The heritage is a finite. valuable, non-renewable resource, which must be can:.fullv
managed to ensure Its survival. •
2. Every generation has a moral respon~ihility to net a.<; trustee of the natural and c.:ullural heri1age for succeeding generations.
J. South Africa has a rid1 heritage. both natural and man-made, which is unique and
wortl1y of conservation.
4. Numcrnus culture.-;, bnth pa.st and present. have ccmtributcd to that heritage and all have ii right. ro be protected. Conservation of that herite1ge is in the interest of all South Africans.
:i. Every person. community and Institution has an obligation to ensure that significant elements of the natural and cultural heritage are not damaged or destroyed.
The following ~pcciric conservation principles have been extrm:too from the NMC Policy Document as they are pnrcicularly relevant tL' the establishment of a conservation policy for
. . . .. . .. . . ... .. N3WDNOW .1~NO.U~N . . ... ... . 60 :_o l. 96 r •. 60/60
I. Tht: airn of consorvo.1ion is lo preser-.e. r1:1;iln or recover Lile cultural interest of a place, and nll1$t include provision for its maintenance and future. {i.e. sustainability).
2. Education of che inhabimnts and visitors regarding the value of the natural and cullural heritage and the purp0:i;c of ils conservation should be promoted.
3. Conservation should be preceded by an inve.'itigaticm by an interdisciplinary team Into the histi1ry and physical conditilln of r.he place to esrahlish its age, previous phases of construction and ir.~ archaeological significance. There should be precise, durable documentation in the form of reports, drawing!! and photographs, and the existing fa.bric 5hould be recorded hefore there is any disturbance of the place.
4. Cultural significance should be determined by analysis of the evidcn~ ~athcrecl - ideally in consultation with a range of parties including cultural bodies and accredited
expert~ on com1ervatinn and related i.s!'.ues. · 5. Before conservation ill undertaken, a written statement of conservation policy must
be professionally prepared, setting out !he cultural significance, physical condition and prnposed conservalion processe.'i, together with the motivation and suppon.ing.
evidence includin& photographs, drawings and analysi~ of all appropriate samples.
6. The conservation policy will determine what uses are compatible.
7. All records should be placed In n permanent archive.
8. Appropriate profossional supervision nncl monitorin2 mus! be maintained at all sia.ges of r.hc work.
9. Conscrvalion or a place ~hould rake into considerntion all aspects ot' irs cultural significance without unwarranted emphasis on any one ar the expense of another. 10. All buildings and their enviro11ments should be recognised a.~ products of rheir own
lime and a.'I evidence of a continuous hiscorical development.
11. Conservation of hi~torically valuable plnc:cs requires the maintenance of appropriate visual settings and contexts.
12. Conservation is ba~cd on respect for the e~isting fahric and ~hould involve the Jea~t
possible intervention. It should not distort the evidence revealed In the fabric.
13. Elemcrl!s that have deteriorated should he repaired rather than replaced. The replaced articles should be recognised ns new work but should match the original in
compo~ition. design and other visual qualities. Decisions regarding the replacement of missing pans of a building shC>uld be based on historical evidence.
l4. Cm1servation should make use
or
all the di~ciplines contributing to the study. Every effort should be made to keep building techniques traditional.' . . ... . .. . . .. . . ... . . .. NawnNOW 1t1NO I .L~N
01:01 9.61 .6.0/~0
JS. Whenever possible, additions and alterations should be done in such a way that, if they were tn be removed in the future, the vriginal fabric would be visible.
16. Contemporary desi2n for new buildings in an historical setting and altens.llons and additions to ex.isting buildings and structures ls encouraged if this does nol disfigure valuable architectural or historical fabric, and is compatible will1 the character and scale of the environs.
\ 7. The contents <.>f historical places forming part of their historical significance :;hould not be removed unless this is the sole means of ensuring tlieir survival. If removed, such contents must be rer.urned when changed circumstances make this possible.
18. A building or structure should remain in its historical location. Translocation of all or part of a building or structure is unacceptable unless this is the sole means of ensuring i~<; survival.
19. Culturally valuable buildings should be occupied and used at all times.
SPEClFIC ASPECTS THAT REQUJRE ADDRESSING TN THE POLICY
l. The identification and protection of historical buildings, structure~ and sites nn the ls lands.
This falls under the jurisdiction of th:: National Monuments Council. the statutory
bod~ charged with the protection arid preservation of the cultural heritage of the nation.
To manage this effectively a survey .~hould be done of all the sitcll and structurei; of historic and cultural importance nnd a management plan set in place to facilitate arty future plan~ for devt\opment on the Island. With the possibility Qf an increase in tourism in r.he future these sitei:. should be clearly idem.ified afforded measures of protection and/or included in specific tourist routcS to he developed on Marion hland.
2. The ei:.tabli!!.hment of a master plan tel address the curati(>ll and management ol' items removed from Marlon Island in the past.
Primarily archaeological in nature this process will involve the further identification and excavation of sites such a~ middens on Marion Island and secondly the formulation of a policy for the curation of any artifacts that are uncovered during this process.
The South African Cultural Hiscory Museum has prior involvcmenl with the curation of some artifacts from Marion Island and is in the position to access such skill1S as may be required in lerms of archaeolngicnl re~carch. Additional speciali!lt knowledge should also be sought.
... ····· ...... ' .. ··-· .... .
. .. ··· Pl
:_0.J..96 I ~.0/~Q . .At least cighl vessef11 of various nationalities are known to have foundered around the Prince Edward Island~ between tlie early 19th century and c. 1922. With 1he exception of the immigrant 5hip Richard f>art (IR49), these ves.~elli were almost all involved in sealing. The archae.ological potential of rhc.~ shipwrecks i~ great, since they represent a microcosm of global cultural and economic activities in the South Atlamic, and can therefore provide a wealth of historical information.
Der.ails about sealing as a global economic activity. about how the vessels were builr, lhe daily lives of tJ1e cres, cargo composition and stowage, navigation instrumenls, crockery, tm:ils. clothing and even foods and medicines used aboard these ships can all provide new his1rlonical ini;ights. Tbese clui;:s to the past are only accessible if a wreck is carefully Investigated am.I, 11.nd this resource therefore requires careful and sust.'linahlc managemenl through a strict conservation policy.
All wrecks older tban fifLy years lying in South African territorial waters are protected in terms of Section 12 (2B) and (2C) of the National Monuments Act (Act 28 of 1969 a.-; amended) which ~tate~ that:
"No person shall de:moy, damage. alrer, dis.curb or export from the Republic ... any wreck or portion of a wreck., known or generally believed to have been in South African territorial waters longer than 50 years ... without a permit from the National MonumcnlS Council."
The proper management of historical 11hipwrecks will en$urc this valuable heritage resource will !!Urvive for the hcncfil, education and cultural enrichmcnl of all South Africans.
SUGGESTED PROCEDURE FOR ADDRESSING 1'.ffE THREE ASPECTS
ll>fl~NTIFIED AS BEING OF SIGNinCANCE lN THE CUL TIJRA L CONSERVATION OF THE PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS
I. THE IDENTTFICATJON AND PROTECTION OF SITES, STRUCTUR~S AND BUJLDINGS OF Clll .TURAL SIGNIFICANCE ON MARJON ISLAND.
In order to make a thorough inventory of these~ ~itl:S it will be flece$llary to initlnte
a survey or catalogue of such sites on the entire Island .1 ln our experience l>nCe a ca1aloguc of this nature has been compikd a managcrnem plan can be established with guidelines and re~ulations pertaining to the conservation of s~ch sites which will facilitate any proposal5 made affecting the cultural re.r.ource" ot lhe li;land.
Sires and structures can be graded according to conservation-worthiness in the catalogue and each category will be afforded certain n1easures of proiectlon ranging frum those that should receive some form of recognition, be: it declaration or li~ting or ~irnply recording or marking with a badge or plaque.
. .. . . .. . . ... . . .. . ... N~_WnNOH .1~NO I .L~N . . .. . . . . . .. J FOL9.~ '· 6_0/~Q.
Using the work done in the Cooper and A very pub! ication w establish a l>ase from which to w~)rk it will be nece~1;ary for a ,;mall group of specialists in this lield, i.e.
pe~on!I rrom lhe National Monuments Council who have experience in surveying conservation-worthy sires. to spend some time on Marion l~land documenting the sites. structures and bulldlngs.
2. ARTU'ACTS • INVENTORY OF HISTORICAL AR'fffACTS REMOVED FROM MA.RION rsl.AND
An inventory of historical artifacls from occupied sir.es of the l!ilands should be prepared. A concerted effort should be made to trace such artifacts and ensure their return either io a suitable place on Marion Island, or a photographic record or lho~e
artifacls that cannot be returned should be made. Recommendations should be made for the removal of fragile and dereriorating artifact~ for safe-keeping and preservation.
Cutation of artifacti;
A decision should be taken a.~ to the curation of historical artifacts. Severa.I alternatives should be considered: these being,
I. Artifacts to remain undisturbed in situ.
2. Removal of certain fragile artifacts to an appropriate institution to ensure the.ir
prc~crvilliOll.
3. Certain artifacts to be left in situ, and others to be placed in a display on Marlon Island with suitahlc interpretation. This would enhance the visitor experience and would sensitise both visiton; and resident.<; of the Mand to the importance of it~ past history.
In his dissertation cJ1e "Cultural Resource Management of the Prince Edward lslands"l Tom Graham suggest~ that not all cultural matcriai should be removed from ilS in situ po.~it.fon. He continue!I "Tn some instances, however, it may he nece1;~ary
to remove artifacts to ensure their continual preservation. At both Macquarie and Heard Islands artifacts were removed for conservation treatment or for safekeeping ('l'ownrow 1987 and Ledingham l 986). ·~
Graham conr.inues witJl a recommendation that a similar method of action is initiated on Marion Island. He :iiuggests that certain artifacts 1My 1,e subject to deter!oradon due Lo weathering or damage by either man or fa.uua. These artifacts should· only be removed under strlctly controlled archaeologk:al c:onditions{supervision) and :i;hould be registered according to comemporary museological procedures.
The South African Cultural History Museum in Cape Tnwn has already demonstrated its interest in the cultural resources of the Islands, Tom Graham being the past curnr.or of one of the satellite museums, lhe Maritime Museum situated at the Victoria
Marion Island are situated in 1he Maritime ?>.1uscum.
3. Shipwrecks
in line with the proposals for {he terrest.rinl archaeological and historical sites, it is recommended that an underwater and terrestrial .rnrvcy of the wrecks on and around the Prince Edward Islands be carried out by a l)uit.ably qualified maritime archaeologi:;t, and that an inventory of thi!> heritage resource be compiled.
The management of the shipwreck resource should form part of the general policy wiU\ regards to the management of the cultural and natural resources of the Islands.
rr is recommended that in terms of the present management policy fur Prince Edward Island no diving on or exploitation of any wreck around this island should be allowed.
Any diving or disturbance of the wrecks around Marion !~land should be strictly
limit~ t.o underwater archaeological research by suitably qualified professionals.
All material removed from any w1·eck during the course of such work must be displayed either in a museum on lhe island. or at the South African Cultural History
Mu~eum 's Maritime Museum in Cape Town.
Applications for permi5sicm m work on any wreck must be made to both the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Advisory Committee for the Prince Edward Islands and the Nar.ional Monument.~ Council.
Archaeological work on wreck sites around the islands mny only be undertaken in terms of a permit issued by the National Monumems Council and according to the conditioru> or such a permit.
Di:'.tailed reoommcndations for the conservation management of the sites and structures, and lhe archaeological deposits will naturally onl)' be forthcoming on completion of the initial studies and surveys to be undertaken B.'l mentioned above. It is therefore recommended that permission he granted for a number of specialisL~ l(1 visit Marion Island in 1997 in order to c.:arry out the i;urvcy and archaeological work ns soon a.c; possible.
lt is estimared that teams of two to three persons each would be necessary for the survey and urchaeologie<1I work; if the rnaritime archaeology is to be considered an additional three pc:ople would be required.
Draft Policy compiled by:
Laura R<1binson: Regional Manager: Western Cape office of the: NMC: and, J<lhn Gribble: Maritime Archaeologist, NMC
Sept.ember t 996
N3WnNOW 1ijN0JlijN z1:01 96, 60160
1. procc~s lhat Wil.'i started in July I 986 when a worksh1)p was held nn the ~ubject nf historic:oll sites on the Prince Edwanl l~lands. Undel'laken hy the CSIR. the proceedings were c!.lited hy Mr J Cooper am) Prof G Avery under th~ title "Histori1;al Sites at the Prince F.dwanl lslandK". S A National Scientific l'rogr::unm(.~ No 128. Jul)' 1986.
2. Cullu1al Rcsouri.:1.: Mllllugcnumt nf the: Prine<: EtJ.,..~r<l r~lllnd~. A .8 A (lions) dis~ertation,
1.)cp;tnment llf Arch;ic;(llOgy, University of C.;ipe Town 1989.
3. Dis~crtation, pg 96.
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DRAFI POLICY DOCUM::ENT FOR THE C.ONSERV ATION !\'fANAGE~·IENT OF ClTLTUR.A.L SITES AND A.RTil"ACTS {HERlT.\GE RESOURCES), ON PRINCE ED\V ARD A~'D ~f ARION ISLA~1)S
f<OR THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT IT HAS BEEN ASSUM:ED THAT PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND WILL REMAIN ISOLATED AND WILL THEREFORE NOT BE UNDER THREAT IN TER.f.,1$ OF LOSS Of CULTURAL MATERIAL. THE RECOMMENDAllONS ARE THEREFORE SPECIFICALLY APPLICABLE FOR MARION ISLAND. SUCH RECO!v1MENDATIONS MAY. OF COURSE BE RELEVANT TO WORi~~ DONE ON PRINCE ED\\' ARD ISLAND IN THE FUTURE -THE B,ASK' CONSERVATiON PRlNClPLES REMAtN THE SA~fE .
.. Mr;em rias bec:n cornpiied \Vlih the aim of f.:~tablishing a policy to proil?'!'.:t the l'.·
. ·,;~, ;.~: .;·1n :i.nd ar.:;und the Pri;iC:(~ Edvn.Hd i~!~md:;,
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.,:neHl.al prin·:'.!pks for heritage conservation in South Africa. it [s rhese P''>-
,_ infnrl11ed. this rlor;::uml2:i'\t sr.ttir.g om a p01lc-v fot •.h.:: culmrn! c0n'., :~.!
,;;M1agement of heri;;.age te'!;curcr.~s on the Prince f.J,;.·ard b.lr:11<is.
These principles are set Gut below:
Tile .r:1t:n·~-::ge is a finite, valuable, non-re;·1e-.vabl~ re•K;~_m::~ rna. 1·1~1rr•.''C~ 11.·1 er:-":1•1"-''. it·::; ''u•·-.,1'•1"• 1
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Every generntton has a mm-al re::.putBibiiiry t.:1 aet ?.S tn .. ffit,:,e of €h"'; n:~turpj :~.!id
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South Africa h&S a rkh h~ritsge, bmh nmuni.l and irk
1,vonhy
o r ·
.:'.ON>ervatwn.4. N;,.:,merous cultures, both past <-i.nd present, have COrttdi:u:~i I':1 that herimgt: and n!i have a right L<t) be prot.:~cted, Cons~rvation of th;n heri't.age i~ L1 the lnterest of
an
South Africanr. ..
5. Every person, community and insth1it10n has i:ln obligation l.n .~rs.iie that 5ig1~ific~;,nt
elements of rhe nmurat and cultural her ita.ge j:jre tH1t fl_;,maged o.~ d:~~stroyF.;\l .
. ,, ' 'I ' 'J:· ' . ' J ' ' · d + 4 ~r· nr P 1·
. ne ro.1.iowmg spec111~ conservation pni11:ap.es nave ceen ;~xtrncre, .!rorn tue l'tf\'1 .. _. o icy
_ ocume.nt a!; they are parciculariy n~levam to the cstabiishment of a conservation policy for